4 best safari destinations in Africa

Posted by Lisa Abdellah on 1 April 2023

Think of safari, and Africa is usually the first place that comes to mind due to the Big 5, exquisite birdlife, wild and rustic bushveld, and some of the best sunsets and night skies.   

Shaun Wheeler, General Manager of Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya, Livingstone Resort, explains why Africa is such an incredible safari destination and recommends where to go to experience the best of it.  

‘Africa has vast spaces and unspoiled land,’ notes Wheeler. ‘Not only that, but many of the world’s most magnificent creatures reside here. It’s no surprise visitors flock to our continent to experience it all.’

1. Zambia: embracing the smoke that thunders 

The world-renowned Victoria Falls lie on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and are the most immense “curtain” of falling water worldwide. One of the five UNESCO heritage sites across these two countries, Victoria Falls offers a treasure trove of safari experiences, especially for the adventure safari enthusiast – it’s considered the Adventure Capital of Africa. 

‘At the Falls, travel adventurers can include zip-lining, bungee jumping or abseiling on their adventure safari, or hydrospeeding at the base of the falls,’ says Wheeler. ‘You can also explore the area on beautiful horse trails, walk with lions or cheetahs, or swim in Devil’s Pool. The Resort can help you create custom tours and safaris into and around Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, including Victoria Falls. This ensures you get the best experience of the Falls and its surrounds.’

2. Tanzania: the home of the Great Migration 

Every safari enthusiast will have the Great Migration on their bucket list. This awe-inspiring move of around 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, gazelle and eland begins in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO site known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. The nearly 15 000ha Serengeti National Park is home to over 4 000 lions, 1 000 leopards, 550 cheetahs and over 500 bird species. So, these safaris are abundant with incredible wildlife sightings. 

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Northern Tanzania is another incredible area to experience. It hosts the world’s largest inactive volcano, the Ngorongoro Crater, which is home to diverse wildlife, offering incredible safari experiences such as Big 5 game drives on the floor of the crater, birdwatching safaris, and cultural safaris where you can interact with the local Maasai tribe.  

3. South Africa: Africa’s safari hub 

The first safari destination that comes to mind when you think of South Africa has got to be Mpumalanga’s Kruger National Park. Recognised as the biggest natural wildlife park in the world, the 20 000-square-kilometre national park is a melting pot of wildlife for safari-goers to view. With the largest wild rhino population on the planet, the Park is also home to the rest of the Big 5, the elusive African painted dog, zebra, buffalo, wildebeest and giraffe, and myriad other animals. ‘And the Kruger National Park is only a five-hour drive from Joburg, so it’s easy to escape to this beautiful environment for a weekend,’ says Wheeler. ‘We have a sister hotel opening nearby soon in Hoedspruit, which gives you access to the Kruger and the stunning Blyde River Canyon.’ 

In addition to these gems, if you travel towards the North West and Limpopo provinces, you’ll find Welgevonden Nature Reserve, Dinokeng Game Reserve, Plumari Game Reserve, Pilanesberg National Park, and other sanctuaries. ‘There’s an incredible array of wildlife across these areas,’ says Wheeler, ‘Ranging from klipspringers and sable antelope to leopards and brown hyena.’

4. Kenya: Home of the Masai Mara 

Kenya is known for delivering sightings of the Big 5 as well as the Great Migration. The Masai Mara National Reserve borders Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and is part of the channel along which the Migration takes place. This makes it a great destination to incorporate into a Great Migration safari. 

Being the origin of the Maasai Mara people, the Reserve is home to the Maasai Village, which travellers can experience as part of a cultural tour. Or expand your cultural safari to include the enigmatic city of Nairobi. 

Taking to the skies, travellers can experience a hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara plains, seeing the rich grasslands – and experiencing wildlife from a different perspective. 

Safari through more of Africa  

These cover just some of the safari destinations Africa has to offer. Visitors to Uganda can experience forest safaris with sightings of gorillas – an experience you can also enjoy in Rwanda, known for the Volcanoes National Park – where groups of safari-trekkers can visit some of the 10 habituated gorilla families. Conversely, Namibia, is a destination for desert safaris with incredible sunsets and one of the country’s biggest appeals: the Cape Cross Seal Reserve. And Zimbabwe is home to the walking-and-canoeing paradise of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mana Pools National Park.  

Wheeler concludes: ‘Africa has so much to offer every type of safari enthusiast. These are destinations that should be on everyone’s bucket lists.’ 

Pictures: Supplied

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